Wednesday Challenge

When Jo was home, she had too much fun pawing thru my supplies and helping me organize my work space.

One of her favorite games is to grab a random grouping of beads and challenge me to make something with it.

For this Jo challenge she chose these beads.



Natural sapphire, matte finish dyed agate, labradorite and fresh water pearl.

Time to put my thinking cap on :)

ArtBeads ‘What’s Old is New Again!’ Blogger Challenge

Hey, remember this?



BS-0038 6x8mm Dark Amber and Opaque Sky Blue with Picasso Roundel Bead Strand *

SW-BD245 Stoneware Brown with Light Blue Daisies Tube Bead *

LMP-0146 Yellow and Orange Roundel Beads (7 pcs) *

CR-RL131 5x4mm Opaline Yellow Roundelle Strand *

I got a great selection of fun items from ArtBeads for their 'What's Old is New Again' challenge. I got the new beads from Artbeads and am using an blue glass necklace of my mom's as the old.

I found these earrings that I had picked up last year when I was in St. Louis visiting my daughter from a thrift store and added them to the mix last minute.


I was really aprehensive about popping that necklace apart, but I finally did it! Here is the 'mess' of inspiration!



Let me tell you how much fun I had with this challenge. All of these colors are so bright and cheery, I didn't want to stop this morning!

Are these adorable or what!!!!! I can't help but smile when I see them.



Fun and bright, simply knotted hemp necklace. This is casual, but with an attitude :) It flirts with a tshirt and says "I dare you" with a plunged neck sundress - can you wear it?


and to complete the perfect summer ensemble, a bold and chunky bracelet.



I am not done!! I have more coming tomorrow!


What would you have made?


Want to see more creations inspired by the What's Old is New Again challenge? Check out ArtBeads Facebook page!!

*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Art Beads were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blogging for Beaders Program. These items are for review or design purposes.

Last mintue challenge! Are you up for it?!?!

I stopped by Dawno's blog as I always do on Sundays to see where her wanderings in the "blog-o-sphere" has taken her, and found a link to Silver Parrots blog.

Silver Parrot is doing a color challenge on her blog. She has posted several pictures and is challenging you to create a bracelet based on the pictures she has posted.

Here's the kicker - It has to be finished and posted by 5 pm Pacific today! I just looked at the clock, I am three hours behind, and it is 4 pm here - I have four hours to do this, and I think I will!

I posted this blog before it was finished with the pictures of my bracelet, in hopes to catch any of my east coast readers who may still have time to visit the blog and create something for the challenge. I'll edit the post in a bit with my entry.

It is a lazy misty Sunday afternoon here, this is just the perfect activity to keep me occupied :)

Good luck!!

Edit -

****

Okies, here is my cap-eh-tiller (that is what i use to call them when i was little)

I chose this little guy because I have always had an attraction to them. Mebbe it is the transformation they go thru, as I am always reinventing myself, or mebbe it is brilliance of color they wear during their life that makes them so special to me. Never be afraid of color :)

I put it on black leather to be the base of all the colors, so the orange, blue and green would pop. I put them on as charms so there would be movement, like the cap-eh-tillers move along the branches.

It's like christmas! Great things in my mail box!

Like a double whammy, but in a good way - I go to my mailbox and there I have not only my selections for the Sept. Rings & Things blogger challenge, but I have the necklace that I ordered from Dawno.

I squealed and danced in the street in front of my mailbox when I saw this wonderful double bounty.

Here is what came from Rings & Things -



4- Sterling silver rope design "S" clasps.
1 - Strand of 10 x 10 faceted fan beads - multistone.
1 - Sterling silver leaf face charm
1 - Sterling silver key charm
1 - 100 ct. India dancing bells
1 - Ocean jasper T-Drop pendant
1 - Moss agate T-Drop pendant

I grossly misjudged the size of the pendants, but I am not disappointed at all - They are Beautiful!! I can't wait to work with them. The faceted fans are brilliant. The bells made my heart happy - so many uses for this little gems. I had the design in my head when I ordered the pieces. Now all I have to do is sit down and build them. I will get started tonite.

Dawno had blogged about a necklace she made a month or so back. I fell in love with the hand made pendant and the necklace design. I began to pester her, asking when will I be seeing it on her ArtFire store so I can buy it. Come to find out - she had made it, and intended to keep it for herslelf. :( Dawno was so gracious as to order a focal pendant and create another one for me!

I love this necklace. It is fun and bright, and honestly will go with anything. I dont' want to limit it to just spring and summer wear. It is so lovely and the beautiful spring flowers are sure to lighten any winter duldrum!

Dawno was kind enuff to share with me where she got all the componets to make the necklace so I can share them with you.

The pendant is a beautiful. It is a Patti Stoll creation.



The blue beads are vintage Lucite - Sapphire moonglow rice ovals 9x15mm, from The Beadin' Path and the opaque yellow glass are 6mm Czech Druk beads from Fire Mountain Gems.


Now look at this craftsmanship - brilliant, sturdy, and beautiful! What a combination.



The scrimps are from Rings & Things. They cost a bit more, but are worth the investment. They add a polished touch to the design, very professional. The benefit to the scrimp is if the design needs to be re worked, you do not damage the beading wire by removing them. Just a turn of a little screw and you can do what you need to re work or even repair the piece. Not like crimp tubes, which require being cut off just so, as to not ruin the coating on the beading wire and cause fraying.

Now look at the Wire Guardians - cable thimbles. This keeps the beading wire safe from fray and crimping by threading the wire thru the 'stay' and then around the jump ring or the connector ring to the clasp. It prevents the wire from mashing or the protective coating from being damaged and causing the wire to fray. That can be uncomfortable and prickly!



And of course I am wearing it :)

Rings & Things Blogger challenge - Summer Breeze

I have been chomping at the bit to get to this necklace. I knew what I had to do as soon as I saw the Designer bead packet with this months blogger challenge from Rings & Things.

Now find the time -

I didn't think it would take as long as it did to complete, over 5 hours. This was done in several 1 hour or 45 minute sittings as I found time to commit to it. I will admit as I got to the last strand, I felt a bit like this guy -



Now it is done and I am thrilled - *sound of scratching record* well almost. This morning in the shower it hit me (always hits me in the shower, I don't know why) how I can make the charms better. A better way to attach them so they have a bit more swinging freedom. But I'll save that for another day :)

Constructing the necklace -

Designer packet


Cut 10 pieces of hemp ranging between 18 and 21 inches. Knot randomly on each strand the 6/0 seed beads from the Designer Packet. I string the beads ahead of time on the hemp and knot as I go



The knotted beads will serve as the 'bail' for the charms. Cut a wire piece and 'crimp' the end by folding the very end back onto itself and giving it a good mash with your needle nosed pliers




When you make the crimp, slide one of the tiny seed beads from the seperate container onto the wire to be used as a 'stopper' for the bead.



Add your bead - there are so many to choose from!- and by making a wire wrapped loop, you will attach the 'charm' to the bead.



One down - TONS TO GO!



Now all 10 strands are finished. You need to attach them to a jump ring. Attaching all 10 strands to one ring is a big order. I broke it down into 2 strands per ring. This also allows you to wear as many or as few of the strands as you want.



Double them back onto themselves bout an inch and wrap with wire to secure






Pinch the ends to keep them flush and not to scratch the wearer, and do the same to the coil. Give it a slight mash with your needle nosed pliers to help with the grip.



Trim the ends flush with the coil



When you are finished you will have five groups of two. Put the ends onto a larger ring and add half your toggle. Repeat with the other side.



And here she is kids - Summer Breeze (I had that song stuck in my head the whole time I was making it)









And naturally I had to take it out for a test drive!






Tomorrow stop by and see my wire wrapped silver connector as I continue on with this months Rings & Things blogger challenge!!

Rings & Things Blogger Challenge - gold tone serpentine necklace

After yesterdays frustration with trying to incorporate the design and the chain, this morning, I did the right thing. I allowed the chain to do it's job and I attached a pendant to it.

What I used from Rings & Things - Item 40-148-4 Chain, 18", Serpentine (Gold Plated)
Part of the necklace extender from the re purposed necklace
Random plastic, wood, lamp work and crystals
Decorative gold tone head pins

Working with gold is not my for-tay. I just don't have a lot of gold to play with. I dug thru some of my re purposed items and found a gold necklace with a lot of fun beads attached - de construct. Dug some more and found a few head pins I had purchased for a special order. The more I dug, the more I found, the more ideas I got.

I like the clunky-ness of it. As it moves, it is always changing it appearence. Can't quite explain it. It is very light, but has enuff weight to stay centered on your chest. I love how it has a 'click' 'click' noise when I play with it.

I had a lot of fun this morning. I was taking pictures, when James came downstairs for his breakfast. "OooOOoo00ooH! that is purtee!" he says - "Looks like christmas and antiques".

hrm - got me thinking. I am going to submit this for the December issue of Bead Trends. December=Christmas=Perfect!!!

"December issue of Bead Trends!?" I hear you say - Yes! and you should too!! Click Here!

Here is the final product.




Little closer



And I am taking it for a test drive today - Already got one compliment on it this morning while running errands!

Picture day - R & T challenge pics

I am trying to get caught up. Not having an internet connection at the house has really put me behind with my updates. I have so much to say, and don't want to put it all in one blog, it would get moe-knot-uhn-us

So....

I got my Rings-Things challenge in the mail!




Satin like cord, and gold and silver plated chains, bulk chain, and cell phone thingies!! So much fun!!! For once I could just let go and create, fast and furious and embrace my ADHD - (beading is a great exercise for me to hold my focus for 15 minutes at a time). This is a great challenge and instant gratification. The biggest problem I had was I had too many ideas pop into my head and not enough time or holders to finish all the ideas - I see an order a brewin :) Working with the cell phone charm holders is to date my favorite. It isn't just for cell phones. Think zipper pull - sweaters, purses, back packs - think pull chain - add them to your pull chains for ceiling fans and lights - think book mark - oh yes, I sed it ;) - think boot decorations - put them in the pull straps for your boots. They are limitless!!!

Check these out!






This one is my favorite




You know what was the best part? The reference manual - OMG. I love reference manuals. I am terrible. I will pick those up over a novel anyday for my 'casual' reading. (geek)

THANKS RINGS & THINGS!!!! This was the funnest 15 minutes of my life!!!!!!

Be a Star! A Bead Star!

Bead Star magazine is taking submissions for their 2009 issue. There are several categories -

Crystals
Glass
Heart designs
Metal
Pearls
Plastics
Seed beads
Stones
Under $25

They are taking submissions up until May 1, 2009, but are having an 'early bird' special if your entries are in by April 24, 2009.

"But I can't submit my stuff" I hear you say. Sure you can! Don't be afraid to submit your pieces. There is never failure in trying. You only fail when you let these opportunities pass you by. It is a learning experience.

Submit your pieces, learn from the experience, watch what they are picking, stretch yourself to a new teck-neek, or a new style. You will not grown in your craft if you do not change it up. The general rule of thumb is for every 10 no's you get, you will get 1 yes. If you have never submitted before, don't expect your first piece to get in, but get your stuff out there. Be consistant in your entries, they will notice you, and soon begin to look forward to your entries.

Here is the submission form!!! Go get em!!! keep me posted!
Submission form


On a side note. This morning I worked up a new piece with the left over lava stones. I used them as an accent to a firey summer piece. The focal glass pendant is from my mom and the many spoils I brought home with me from vacation. I for get what it is called - Muriano? (help me here)

Filigree Harvest, filigree beads (4mm and 8mm) and lava stones (roundells and round) from Rings & Things,
Carnelian chunks from Sedona Stones,
And a bunch of repurposed items to fill it out. It seem appropriate to have the lava stones with a red piece.

Aestas the goddess of summer

Have pillow will travel

Interesting title, we will get to that in a bit - but first!!

Thanks Rings & Things!

I got such a surprise last nite when I went up to the mailbox. Inside was a small manilla envelope.....from RINGS AND THINGS!!! It is Aprils blog challenge! I was not expecting this at all! A few days ago on the R/T blog the post was about what do you use for your displays - I thought that was going to be the challenge and what a good one too. BUT NO!!!

*wags her finger at Dave* You are so berry berry sneaky!

Check this out - all these awesome lava beads and "swar-ski" crystals!! I know I am going to shoot my wad and use every piece on one design. I have it knocking around in my head already. And yes - the tootsie roll wrapper, missing the candy. It never fails - I dump the contents of the pkg onto the table, scramble for the tootsie roll first, cram it in my mouth and then rummage thru the goodies that have been sent, all the while making little humming noises while i chew chew chew in happiness............




Ok, now back to the title - I want to stop you here - if you are easily offended at anything, right now just close the blog. If curiosity has gotten the best of you, don't say i didn't warn ya.

March 22 was world wide pillow fight day. Tomorrow Raleigh and several other cities have opted to do it again. You know us southeners - we move at our own pace but we get what needs to be getting done.

Moore Square Mayhem

I am not going to pass up this fun flash mob event. They encourage costumes and fun pillows.
*think* *think*
I am not taking a couch cushion when I can make a fun pillow.

So that is what I did.

I modeled them after the dolls I make - Insert Karma Kritter plug.





My karma kritters and their minis, backpack buddies, are a hit at a local gallery/frame shop. They are colorful stupid little reminders that someone thought enuff of you to give you a goofy gift. That is their intent. I took that idea and upscaled them. James wanted a bear. He wanted a funny roaring bear with claws and fangs and - an-eh-tom-ick-lee correct....*ponders* It is a family event, so I challenged myself to do something that made James happy with his rude bear, but was abstract enuff that it would not appall..offend yes, but not appall. here is his bear - (thus the warning)



Mine, I based on my favorite cartoon -Johnny Quest - Sing it with me - "nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nahnut nahnut nah nah" ... you know you are singing it in your head.

*side note* My biggest heartbreak of my life was when I found out that Race Bannon was a cartoon and I could never grow up to marry him......

Ok, remember the episode where there was an invisible ghost/monster. It wrecked havoc everwhere but no one knew what it was, and then Dr. Quest had the great idea to throw paint ballons or something at it so they could see it?!?! remember!?!?! and it was a big one eye'd monster..remember!!! well i know why he was all crabby and tearing things up, he was married to this.....




Have a great one Kids!!!!